TAWA enhances anti-poaching with new K9 facility

ARUSHA: THE chairperson of the board of directors of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Rtd Major General Hamis Semfuko has said that the newly inaugurated sniffer dog unit and its modern facility will play a pivotal role in curbing illegal transport of government trophies such as elephant tusks and other wildlife products.

Speaking during the handover and inauguration of the sniffer dog unit building (TAWA K9-Unit) in Arusha yesterday, Rtd Major General Semfuko described the initiative as a major boost to TAWA’s anti-poaching operations.

“Criminals are constantly changing their tactics, so this building and these dogs are vital tools in combating the illegal trade of government-owned wildlife products,” he said.

He added that the new facility will enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the K9 Unit, which has already demonstrated strong results in detecting trafficked trophies.

“The board is satisfied with the outstanding performance of the sniffer dogs. This unit has proven to be an effective deterrent against illegal transportation of wildlife products,” he said.

Rtd Major General Semfuko also extended gratitude to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) for its continued partnership and support, assuring that the facility would be used responsibly and for its intended purpose.

AWF Country Coordinator, Pastor Magingi noted that the illegal wildlife trade remains among the world’s most lucrative transnational crimes, generating up to 20 billion US dollars annually.

He explained that, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), East Africa, particularly Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, has long been recognised as both a source and a key transit hub for elephant ivory, pangolin scales and other high-value wildlife products.

“To address this challenge, AWF, in collaboration with TAWA, launched the canines for conservation programme in 2015,” he said.

He added: “This partnership aims to strengthen law enforcement capacity using specially trained dogs to detect illegal wildlife products, including ivory, pangolin scales and rhino horns.”

ALSO READ: Regional anti-poaching collaboration vital – Justice Ndika

Pastor Magingi said the handover of the new sniffer dog unit facility underscores what can be achieved through collaboration, government leadership and sustained investment in conservation.

Located st Njiro, Arusha Region, the new building is a strategic investment designed to provide long-term detection and deterrence services against illegal wildlife trade across Tanzania’s northern zone.

TAWA acting conservation commissioner, Mr Mlage Kabange said one of TAWA’s key responsibilities is protecting and controlling the smuggling of government-owned wildlife trophies across national borders with the help of sniffer dogs.

He also mentioned that TAWA has a role in revenue collection through the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

On behalf of the Northern Zone Commander, Assistant Tourism Commissioner, Ms Segoline Tarimo said their future plans include increasing the number of staff and sniffer dogs, adding tracking dogs and establishing a canine training centre.

Northern Zone Canine Incharge, Masuhi Mgendi, said the Njiro centre in Arusha currently has two sniffer dogs donated by AWF, valued at 24m/-.

He also noted that the building handed over is worth 87m/- and includes a store, office, staff housing and other facilities.

He said the sniffer dogs are used for cargo inspection at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Arusha Airport and at border points such as Namanga.